Italian Feasts: 10 Best Italian Restaurants in Scottsdale

Scottsdale may not be the first destination that pops to mind when talking about classic Italian food, but the city boasts a nice roster of excellent Italian restaurants.

EVO, a chic Old Town destination for high quality Italian fare, tops our list of places to consume handmade pasta, specialty pizza and an impressive menu of antipasti.

Regional Italian cuisine can be hard to come by in the Sonoran Desert, but Veneto Trattoria offers authentic dishes from Northern Italy. If you can’t afford a trip to Venice, owners Robert and Susan Rossi (natives of Treviso), offer the next best thing with standards such as baccala (salt cod) with polenta, fegato (liver and onions), and fettucine with braised duck ragu.

Charming red-and-white checked tablecloths, glass lamps, and inexplicably hunky waiters - welcome to Pasta Brioni. Traditional Italian dishes populate the menu. While there the menu certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, what's delivered is solid and tasty. Homemade spaghetti and meatballs, linguini pescatore (clams, mussels, calamari, and shrimp), and heart-healthy cappellini with basil and tomato are favorites. Hefty calzones and generously-sized pizzas are pasta alternatives. Dessert features treats like tiramisu and hazelnut ice cream, both exquisite and worth making room for at the end of your meal. Perfect for a relaxing lunch or dinner. Take-out service and a lively happy hour are bonuses.

Family owned and operated since 1989, Ristorante Giuseppe is a favorite with locals in the know. Don't let the cash-only policy keep you from sampling the extensive menu of classic Italian dishes. Whether you're in the mood for spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, or linguini, chances are the hearty portions and traditional ingredients will make your taste buds sing. Try a plate from the daily specials menu, which includes hard-to-find specialties such as eggplant rollatini, Thinly sliced, lightly breaded eggplant rolled with ricotta cheese and spinach and served with pasta on the side. Bring your own wine--no corkage fees at Ristorante Giuseppe.

Family owned and operated since 1989, Ristorante Giuseppe is a favorite with locals in the know. Don't let the cash-only policy keep you from sampling the extensive menu of classic Italian dishes. Whether you're in the mood for spaghetti and... Read More

This North Scottsdale favorite, which translates to "bread and wine" in English, is a cozy gem dishing out straightforward Italian classics. Elegant and sophisticated, the food lives up to the ambiance with fresh ingredients and expert execution. Try the butternut squash ravioli, the perfect marriage of sweet and savory. The fettucine alfredo is perfection, creamy and perfectly seasoned. Start your dinner with the calamari and house bruschetta, or for a fresh starter, the caprese is impeccable. The dessert menu, particularly the tiramisu and decadent creme brulee, is worth saving room for. If you just want to enjoy a gourmet snack or light dinner before heading to a concert or sporting even, check out the restaurant's special "lounge" menu.

This North Scottsdale favorite, which translates to "bread and wine" in English, is a cozy gem dishing out straightforward Italian classics. Elegant and sophisticated, the food lives up to the ambiance with fresh ingredients and expert... Read More

Hand-crafted Italian cuisine is the star of the show at Marcellino's Ristorante in Scottsdale, where Chef Marcellino creates classic Italian dishes with a fresh and modern twist. Some of the stand-outs on the hand-crafted pasta menu include the Gnocchi Sorrentina, a hand rolled potato pasta in a tomato sauce tossed with fresh mozzarella. Don't skip your antipasti though, because you'll want to sample the caprese made with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, roasted pepper and homegrown basil. Try the Insalata di Pera, made with pear slices served on fresh watercress with shaved pecorino and a made-from-scratch lemon dressing. This Old Town gem is ideal for date night or special occasion.

Hand-crafted Italian cuisine is the star of the show at Marcellino's Ristorante in Scottsdale, where Chef Marcellino creates classic Italian dishes with a fresh and modern twist. Some of the stand-outs on the hand-crafted pasta menu include the... Read More

Located at FireSky Resort and Spa in the heart of Scottsdale, Taggia brings fresh coastal Italian cuisine to the Sonoran desert. Seafood doesn't get any fresher than this (flown in daily) and seasonal salads feature organic and locally sourced ingredients. Gourmet pizzas come out soft, chewy and bubbling with the fresh made sauce from the restaurant's wood-fired ovens. The ambiance is exceptional. You can dine under the resort's soaring green palms in the comfortable outdoor patio, or in the sleek, inviting dining room. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is a great choice for a date night or special night with friends.

Located at FireSky Resort and Spa in the heart of Scottsdale, Taggia brings fresh coastal Italian cuisine to the Sonoran desert. Seafood doesn't get any fresher than this (flown in daily) and seasonal salads feature organic and locally sourced... Read More

Veneto Trattoria is modeled after the traditional trattorias of Northern Italy. The menu features fresh dishes prepared with the best ingredients. The healthy, satisfying flavors used at Veneto Trattoria are lightly prepared for a satisfying meal that is never heavy or greasy. The ambiance here is warm, friendly and casual. Try one of the hand-crafted pastas, such as the fresh gnocchi or luscious risottos. Traditional Northern Italian dishes frequently feature balsamic vinegar seasoning, and Veneto Trattoria is no different. Only the highest quality balsamic is used in the restaurant's house dressings and to add sweetness to certain dishes without having to resort to fatty butter.

Veneto Trattoria is modeled after the traditional trattorias of Northern Italy. The menu features fresh dishes prepared with the best ingredients. The healthy, satisfying flavors used at Veneto Trattoria are lightly prepared for a satisfying... Read More

A nondescript location belies the delicious Italian cuisine served inside this popular restaurant. Locals flock to Arrivederci for tender pastas and succulent meat and seafood dishes. Your meal will begin on a very high note, with fresh-baked rolls delivered to your table. Lobster-stuffed ravioli in a creamy, saffron-infused sauce and delicate potato gnocchi in a four-cheese sauce are two of the most requested entrees, while carpaccio and eggplant parmigiana also win raves. Naturally, desserts are of equally high quality, especially decadent ricotta cheesecake. Intimate ambiance and attentive, unpretentious service are pluses. For dessert, try the chocomisu and lemoncello, both of which are made in-house.

A nondescript location belies the delicious Italian cuisine served inside this popular restaurant. Locals flock to Arrivederci for tender pastas and succulent meat and seafood dishes. Your meal will begin on a very high note, with fresh-baked... Read More

EVO is a vintage-inspired Italian restaurant and bar committed to delivering timeless Italian cuisine and high quality drinks in a sleek, inviting setting. On the food side of the menu, EVO dishes out fresh appetizers and small plates, delicious specialty pizzas, house made pasta dishes, fish and meat dishes, and luscious desserts. EVO also has an extensive drink menu where you'll find handcrafted cocktails, draft beers, draft spirits, bottled beer, beer on tap, bubbles and wine by the glass. For a refreshing summery drink, make sure to try the Grapefruit Basil cocktail, made with three olives citrus vodka, fresh basil, grapefruit and lime.

EVO is a vintage-inspired Italian restaurant and bar committed to delivering timeless Italian cuisine and high quality drinks in a sleek, inviting setting. On the food side of the menu, EVO dishes out fresh appetizers and small plates, delicious... Read More

If you're looking for an original, family-owned Italian deli, Defalco's Italian Grocery is the real thing. This local treasure is located just south of downtown Scottsdale, on the border between Tempe and Scottsdale. The menu features traditional pasta dishes and hot sandwiches. You'll see a lot of loyal customers coming in before dinner to carry out one of the take-home dishes, or shopping for high quality Italian products such as hand-made ravioli and imported olive oil. Enjoy the outdoor patio with a plate of eggplant parm, chicken cutlet, or lasagna. The dessert menu includes traditional Italian classic like cannoli and tiramisu.

If you're looking for an original, family-owned Italian deli, Defalco's Italian Grocery is the real thing. This local treasure is located just south of downtown Scottsdale, on the border between Tempe and Scottsdale. The menu features... Read More

Native Florentine and longtime Valley restaurateur Franco Fazzuoli brings fresh, upscale Italian flavors to Scottsdale at Franco's Italian Caffe. The restaurant, located in downtown Scottsdale, offers Florentine Italian dishes like Filet Mignon All'Arrabiata, Bistecca Fiorentina and Spaghetti Salsa Cruda. There are also specialty salads, including a lovely Beet Arugula salad that comes with goat cheese. But before you get to the secondi courses, start with one of the restaurant's trademark bruschetta, including a popular tuna bruschetta. Other small plate appetizers include prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella. The restaurant offers a comprehensive wine list, as well. Gluten-free options are available with pasta dishes.